Beverage machine carriable single-handed

ABSTRACT

A machine (1) for preparing a beverage (3) has a beverage processing unit (10, 20) formed of a first processing unit member (10) and a second processing unit member (20) that delimit a chamber (21) and that are movable between a distant configuration in which a flavouring ingredient (2) is received in the chamber (21) and a proximate configuration in which the flavouring ingredient (2) is held and mixed with the water (4) in the chamber (21). The machine includes: a water source for delivering the water (4) towards the beverage processing unit (10, 20); a water guide (30) for guiding the water (4) between the water source and the chamber (21); and a support structure (70) having a base (72) that comprises a main outside housing (72′), a fluid line support (72′″) and a supporting foot (72IV) at a bottom of the main outside housing (72′). The processing unit (10, 20) and the water guide (30), and optionally the water source, are supported by the base (72). The foot (72IV) is configured to rest on an external substantially horizontal surface and is located right below a beverage dispensing area (90) configured to receive a user-receptacle (100). The housing (72′) extends in an upright manner from the foot (72IV). The fluid line support (72′″) is located at an upper part, e.g. at a top, of the housing (72′) to hold the processing unit (10, 20) right above the foot (72IV), such that the support structure (70) is substantially L-shaped or C-shaped or inverted G-shaped. The housing (72′) has a gripping surface (722) to facilitate hand gripping. The surface (722) extends between the foot (72IV) and the fluid line support (72′″) for seizing the support structure (70) single-handed and carrying the machine (1).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention pertains to beverage preparation machineswhich uses liquid in the preparation of the beverage. The liquid istypically water or water-based. The machine may be configured to preparethe beverage by passing the liquid through an ingredient of the beverageto be prepared, such as at least one of coffee, tea, cacao, milk, sugarand/or soup ingredient. The ingredient may be supplied within a capsuleinto the machine. For instance, the liquid is mixed with the ingredientcontained in the capsule by centrifuging the capsule while the liquid ispassed through the capsule.

For the purpose of the present description, a “beverage” is meant toinclude any human-consumable liquid substance, such as tea, coffee,chocolate, milk, soup, baby food, etc. . . . . A “capsule” is meant toinclude any container such as a packaging for containing a pre-portionedbeverage ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient, the packaging formingan enclosure of any material, in particular an airtight or perviousmaterial, porous or non-porous material, e.g. plastic, aluminium,recyclable and/or biodegradable packagings, and of any shape andstructure, including soft pods or rigid cartridges for containing theingredient.

BACKGROUND ART

Certain beverage preparation machines use capsules containingingredients to be extracted or to be dissolved and/or ingredients thatare stored and dosed automatically in the machine or else are added atthe time of preparation of the drink. Some beverage machines possessfilling means that include a pump for liquid, usually water, which pumpsthe liquid from a source of water that is cold or indeed heated throughheating means, e.g. a thermoblock or the like.

Various outside machine configurations have been proposed to handle themachine, as for instance disclosed in WO 2009/074553, WO 2010/003932, WO2010/015427, WO 2010/037806, WO 2011/144720, WO 2012/055765, WO2012/093107, WO 2012/126971, WO 2013/037781, WO 2013/037782, WO2013/037783, WO 2013/127906, WO 2015/140091, WO 2016/083484, WO2016/156364, WO 2016/156372, WO 2017/037215 and WO 2018/219985.

Especially in the field of coffee preparation, machines have been widelydeveloped in which a capsule containing beverage ingredients is insertedin a brewing device. The brewing device is closed about the capsule,water is injected, the beverage is produced in the closed volume of thecapsule and a brewed beverage can be drained from the capsule andcollected into a receptacle such as a cup or glass.

Heat management in such systems is known from EP 2393404 A1, WO2010/089329 and in WO 2014/090850. It is also known to interrupt orreduce the powering of the thermal conditioner of a beverage machine toreduce the powering consumption of the machine when not in the processof delivering a beverage, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2011/020779 and WO2012/007260, or to interrupt or reduce the powering of the thermalconditioner to stop or reduce the thermal conditioning of beverageingredients in the preparation of the beverage, e.g. as disclosed inEP19181432.6. It is possible to bypass a thermal conditioner to processthermally unconditioned water for a desired beverage preparation, e.g.as disclosed in WO 2018/158179. It is also known to drive, e.g. using apump, water through such systems, for instance as disclosed in WO2004/014205, WO 2006/005425, WO 2009/024500, WO 2009/150030, WO2010/108700, WO 2011/107574 and WO 2018/001750.

The preparation of a beverage by using centrifugation is known. Suchbeverage preparation includes: providing a beverage (flavoring)ingredient, e.g. as powder and/or leaves, in a capsule; circulatingliquid into the capsule and rotating the capsule at sufficient speed toensure interaction of the liquid with the ingredient while creating agradient of pressure of liquid in the capsule. Such pressure increasesgradually from the center towards the periphery of the capsule. Asliquid passes through the ingredient, e.g. coffee bed, extraction of theingredient, e.g. coffee compounds, takes place and a liquid extract isobtained that flows out at the periphery of the capsule. Examples ofsuch systems are disclosed in WO 2008/148601, WO 2013/007776, WO2013/007779, WO 2013/007780, WO 2013/007781, WO 2015/173123, WO2017/202746 and WO 2017/046294.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a machine for preparing a beverage from atleast one ingredient. Normally such beverage is then dispensed to auser, e.g. to a user-cup or user-mug.

The machine is arranged for preparing a beverage from a flavouringingredient, e.g. coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk or soup, bymixing water with the flavouring ingredient, e.g. by centrifugallydriving such flavouring ingredient with water.

For instance, the machine incorporates features disclosed in WO2008/148604, WO 2009/106598, WO 2014/096122, WO 2010/026053 or WO2014/096123.

The beverage preparation typically includes the mixing of a plurality ofbeverage ingredients, e.g. water and milk powder, and/or the infusion ofa beverage ingredient, such as an infusion of ground coffee or tea withwater. For instance, a predetermined amount of beverage is formed anddispensed on user-request, which corresponds to a serving. The volume ofsuch a serving may be in the range of 15 to 1000 ml such as 25 to 600 mlfor instance 40 to 250 ml, e.g. the volume for filling a cup or mug,depending on the type of beverage. Formed and dispensed beverages may beselected from cold and warm beverages, for example from cold brewed teaor coffee, or warm/hot brewed tea or coffee, e.g. ristrettos, espressos,lungos, cappuccinos, café latte, americano coffees, teas, etc. . . . .For example, a coffee machine may be configured for dispensing coffee,e.g. an adjustable volume of 20 to 60 ml per serving, and/or fordispensing lungos, e.g. a volume in the range of 70 to 200 ml perserving, and/or for dispensing americanos, e.g. a volume in the range of150 to 750 ml.

The machine includes a beverage processing unit formed of a firstprocessing unit member and a second processing unit member that delimita chamber and that are movable between a distant configuration in whichthe flavouring ingredient is received in the chamber and a proximateconfiguration in which the flavouring ingredient is held and mixed withthe water in the chamber during beverage preparation. For instance, theflavouring ingredient can be supplied into the chamber within a capsule,e.g. with a capsule flange.

Typically, the chamber is provided or associated with an inletarrangement and/or an outlet arrangement. Examples of inlet arrangementsare disclosed in WO 2010/063644. Examples of outlet arrangements aredisclosed in WO 2009/106175, WO 2012/100836, WO 2013/020939 and WO2017/068134.

The beverage processing unit, typically of the centrifugal type, mayincorporate features disclosed in EP 2 000 062, EP 2 155 020, EP 2 152128, WO 2008/148646, WO 2009/106175, WO 2010/026045, WO 2010/063644, WO2010/066705 and WO 2010/066736.

The beverage processing unit (when using ingredient capsules) may befitted with an arrangement for opening the capsule, e.g. as disclosed inWO 2008/148656, WO 2010/026045 and WO 2010/066736.

The beverage processing unit members may be secured together in theirproximate position by a corresponding arrangement, e.g. as disclosed inWO 2012/007293 and WO 2014/102048.

The capsule may have a body containing an ingredient and a peripherallyprojecting flange. The capsule may be of the type described above underthe header “field of the invention”. The capsule may be a capsule thathas a container-body, e.g. a generally cup-shaped or hemispherical orhemi-ellipsoidal body, having a flange to which a cover lid is attached,in particular sealed. Typically, the capsule contains a beverageingredient.

The capsule may have a or the above body that is symmetric orasymmetric, conical or frusto-conical, pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal,cylindrical or prismatic, spherical or hemispherical orfrusto-spherical, domical or frusto-domical, containing the ingredient.

The capsules (when the machine is intended to be operated with capsules,e.g. capsules of different sizes) may incorporate the features disclosedin WO 2008/148650, WO 2008/148834 and WO 2011/023711.

An automatic capsule recognition system, for instance an arrangementconfigured to read an identification device, e.g. a code, borne by thecapsule such as a bar code e.g. a rotationally readable bar code, may beused to parameterize and adjust the processing of the flavouringingredient contained in the above mentioned capsule automatically inline with the type of ingredient, e.g. a profile of an extraction flow(e.g. speed and/or pressure) and/or extraction temperature. Examples ofsuch technologies and associated features are disclosed inWO2011/141532, WO2011/141535, WO 2012/010470, WO 2013/072239, WO2013/072297, WO 2013/072326, WO 2013/072351 and WO 2015/044400.

The machine has a water source for delivering the water towards thebeverage processing unit, such as a connector to be connected to a watersupply line external to such machine and/or a water supply tank that hasan outside opening for water filling with a water source external tosuch machine.

The machine can have a control device, such as a control devicecomprising a controller and/or processor, configured to control thedelivery of water to the processing unit. Other functions may becontrolled by the control device, e.g. automatic ingredient detectionand/or sensing and/or capsule recognition system, water availability atthe water source, etc. . . .

The control device may be associated with a selection arrangement, e.g.a selection arrangement comprising a user-interface and/or a flavouringingredient sensor and/or capsule recognition system, for selecting oneof several available beverage preparation modes. Examples ofuser-interfaces are disclosed in WO 2015/096998.

The selection arrangement may be configured to initiate and/or stop abeverage preparation and/or to select a particular volume of water of aplurality of selectable available volumes to be supplied to the beverageprocessing unit's chamber for preparing a correspondingly resultingparticular volume of the beverage and/or, when the machine is configuredaccordingly, to select a centrifugal speed profile of the chamber duringbeverage preparation.

The machine includes a water guide for guiding the water between thewater source and the chamber. The water guide may be free of a waterpump or may comprise a water pump, such as a gear or a peristaltic or apiston, e.g. solenoid, or a diaphragm pump.

The machine has a support structure, such as a frame, having a base thatcomprises a main outside housing, a fluid line support and a supportingfoot at a bottom of the main outside housing. The main outside housingis stationary during beverage preparation. The processing unit and thewater guide, and optionally the water source, are supported by the base.The foot is configured to rest on an external substantially horizontalsurface, such as a table top or a shelf, during beverage preparation.The foot is located right below a beverage dispensing area configured toreceive a user-receptacle, such as a cup or a mug, in a position forcollecting the beverage from the processing unit. The foot may delimitand form a placement surface for supporting such user-receptacle in thedispensing area.

The machine, when free of flavouring ingredient and free of water (e.g.empty), may have a weight ratio of the foot over the entire machine inthe range of 0.33 to 0.85 such as 0.5 to 0.66.

The main outside housing extends in an upright manner from the foot thefluid line support being located at an upper part, e.g. at a top, of themain outside housing to hold the beverage processing unit right abovethe foot, such that the support structure is substantially L-shaped orC-shaped or inverted q-shaped when oriented to prepare the beverage. Themain outside housing can be of substantially prismatic, cylindrical,conical and/or pyramidal upright shape.

The supply tank, when present, may have: a resilient valve with a biasedgate that is opened by actuation by a part of the base, e.g. forming atank seat, and/or by a fluid connector of the water guide; and/or anarrangement for mechanical and/or magnetic user-reversible assembly tothe base, e.g. forming a tank seat.

The first processing unit member may delimit a water inlet of thechamber or delimit a beverage outlet out of the chamber or delimit bothsuch inlet and outlet. The inlet can form an extremity of the waterguide, e.g. the inlet and/or outlet can be formed by and/or associatedwith one or more corresponding piercing elements for piercing thecapsule, when present.

The main outside housing has a gripping surface, e.g. a textured orstriated or corrugated or undulated or ruled or even surface, tofacilitate hand gripping. The gripping surface extends between the footand the fluid line support for seizing the support structuresingle-handed such that the support structure with the processing unitand the water guide, and optionally the water source, can be carried anddisplaced single-handed by seizure of the gripping surface.

The gripping surface should be so arranged that the entire weight of themachine can be supported by the gripping surface without risk of damageor deformation of the machine, as might for instance happen if a userpulls a machine by seizing an apparent component that is not adapted forsafely supporting the machine's weight during carrying, such as anelectric cable or a handle closing or opening the brewing unit. The sizeand shape of the gripping surface should be adapted to the shape andcapacity of a normal human hand, namely an adult hand, to allow a firmseizure of the machine by the gripping surface, sufficient for the userto safely carry the machine with all its weight single-handed via thegripping surface.

The gripping surface may extend over: a height of at least 3 cm, such asat least 6 cm, for instance in the range of 7 to 25 cm, e.g. 8 to 20 cm,for example 9 to 15 cm; and/or a portion, such as a portion of at least50% for instance at least 66% e.g. in the range of 75 to 100%, of ahorizontal outside perimeter of the main outside housing. Such perimetermay have a length in the range 3 to 30 cm, such as 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 7 to20 cm, for instance 9 to 16 cm, for example 11 to 14 cm. The grippingsurface may extend over this portion over at least 66%, such as at least75 e.g. at least 85% for instance in the range of 90 to 100%, of a orthe above mentioned height of the gripping surface.

The machine may include a beverage collector, for instance supported bythe fluid line support and/or the processing unit. The collector can beconfigured to collect the beverage from the beverage processing unitduring beverage preparation. The beverage collector can have at leastone collecting wall directing the beverage out of the collector to thebeverage dispensing area, typically via a beverage dispensing openinge.g. a nozzle. The beverage dispensing area can be located under thebeverage collector.

The water guide may extend uprightly, such as substantially vertically,from the processing unit to the water source, such as to a bottom partof the water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water tank.

The machine can comprise one or more electric devices, such as at leastone of an actuator, a control device and a user-interface. All suchelectric devices may be confined in and/or comprised in the main outsidehousing and/or the foot. The beverage processing unit, the water sourceand the water guide can be located entirely outside the main outsidehousing and outside the foot. such machine may include a connection toan electric supply, such as an electric cord or an electric connector,the connection being configured to extend from outside to inside themain outside housing to power the electric devices.

The machine may include a or the above mentioned actuator, such as amotor, that is supported by the support structure and that has a drivingoutput member, e.g. an output shaft, rotating about an output axis. Theoutput member can be coupled to the beverage processing unit for drivingthe processing unit in rotation to centrifugally drive the flavouringingredient with the water in the chamber. For example, the motor is ahollow shaft motor surrounding part of the processing unit or a solidshaft motor.

The actuator can be located outside vertical confines of an outermostperimeter of the beverage processing unit.

The processing unit may be rotatably mounted to the support about aprocessing unit axis. The output axis and the processing unit axis canbe spaced by a minimum distance of at least 4 cm, such as in the rangeof 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 6 to 15 cm.

The beverage processing unit can be driven by the output member via atransmission, the processing unit being located externally to the mainoutside housing such that the actuator is substantially shielded by themain outside housing from the processing unit and from the beverageduring beverage preparation. The transmission may extend through atransmission opening, such as a side opening e.g. a window, of the mainoutside housing to couple the processing unit and the output member. Thetransmission can include at least one of: gears, e.g. spur-gear; belts,e.g. toothed belts, and optionally idler pulleys; connecting rods; andmagnetic couplers.

One of the processing unit members can be provided with a cavitydelimiting the chamber, the first and second processing unit members intheir distant configuration being configured for direct manual insertioninto, and optionally direct manual removal out of, the cavity of theflavouring ingredient, optionally provided within the capsule. Forinstance, the cavity-provided unit member is configured to be able to beoriented upwards for insertion of the flavouring ingredient into thecavity and to be oriented downwards (e.g. turned upside-down) forremoval of the flavouring ingredient out of the cavity, e.g. with theaid of gravity. By implementing such a simple optional configuration,the machine does not need to incorporate an ingredient transferarrangement for inserting into and/or removing from the cavity theflavouring ingredient before and/or after beverage preparation.

The machine (when using ingredient capsules) may however have a capsuletransfer device, e.g. as disclosed in WO 2012/041605, WO 2017/046294 andWO 2017/202746.

The water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water supply tank, canbe configured to contain a limited amount of the water that correspondsto a maximum amount needed for a serving. The machine may be configuredto deliver all the water contained in the water source for preparing aserving of the beverage. The limited amount of water can be in the rangeof 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml. The water source may includean indication arrangement, such as a marking system on the water supplytank, to indicate different levels of water amounts below the maximumamount corresponding to different types of beverage servings. Byimplementing such a single optional configuration, the machine does notneed to incorporate an active control arrangement to manage the volumeof water required for a serving, it being sufficient that the userprovides the water source only with the required amount for the desiredserving and that the water is driven to the processing unit until theentire amount of water from the water source is used up.

The machine may be configured to prepare the beverage: without thermallyconditioning the water delivered from the water source into the chamber,for instance the machine being free of activatable thermal conditioneror having a beverage preparation mode in which a thermal conditioner isbypassed or inactivated; or with thermally conditioning the waterdelivered from the water source into the chamber, for instance themachine having an activatable thermal conditioner such as a water heaterand/or cooler.

It is also possible to provide thermally pre-conditioned water in thewater source, e.g. heat and/or cool the water prior to supplying into tothe machine.

The machine may be configured to deliver the beverage at a temperaturebelow 30° C. such as below 25° C., for instance in the range of 3 to 20°C., for example in the range of 5 to 15° C., e.g. 7 to 10° C. Themachine may deliver the beverage at room temperature.

The machine can be configured to deliver the water from the water sourceinto the chamber at an average rate for a beverage serving in the rangeof 10 to 300 ml/min, for instance 20 to 100 ml/min, such as 40 to 80ml/min. For example, the instantaneous rate of water delivery is loweror close to zero or even zero towards the beginning of beveragepreparation, e.g. for pre-wetting the flavouring ingredient, and ishigher towards the end of beverage preparation.

The beverage processing unit may be arranged in order to rotate thechamber at a speed in the range of 500 to 10000 RPM, such as 1250 to7500 RPM, for centrifugation of the water with the flavouringingredient, for instance within the above mentioned capsule, to preparethe beverage.

The invention also relates to a combination of a machine as describedabove and a flavouring ingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredientcontained in a capsule, for preparing a beverage from the flavouringingredient in the machine.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing abeverage by mixing water with a flavouring ingredient, e.g. a flavouringingredient contained in a capsule, in a machine as described above.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a flavouringingredient, e.g. a flavouring ingredient contained in a capsule, formixing with water, e.g. by centrifugally driving such flavouringingredient with water, in a machine as described above.

Within the context of the present disclosure, the fact that an operationcan be done by a user means that no special tool or special knowledgeunavailable to ordinary users is required to do such operation. Normallysuch operation should not involve any destruction of any part of themachine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described with reference to the schematicdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a machine according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid line of part of the machineof FIG. 1 with a beverage processing unit;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of part of the machineof FIG. 1 , the beverage processing unit being made of first and secondmembers in a distant configuration;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of part of the machineof FIG. 1 with a disconnected water source;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view part of the machine of FIG. 1illustrating the connection of the water source;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional perspective views of the machine ofFIG. 1 illustrating the assembly of the beverage processing unit, FIG. 8being an enlarged view of part of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the machine of FIG. 1 illustrating theassembly of the beverage processing unit;

FIG. 10 shows is a perspective view of the beverage processing unit ofthe machine of FIG. 1 with first and second members in a distantconfiguration;

FIG. 11 illustrates a support structure of the machine of FIG. 1 with anassembly arrangement for the fluid line;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view from above of the machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a valve arrangement in the fluidline of the machine of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the beverage processing unit of themachine of FIG. 1 during beverage preparation; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views from above of a valvearrangement, e.g. for the machine of FIG. 1 , interrupting and allowing,respectively, a water flow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 16 , in which the same numeric references generally designatethe same parts, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a machine 1 andparts thereof in accordance with the invention.

Machine 1 is configured for preparing a beverage 3 from a flavouringingredient 2, e.g. coffee or tea or chocolate or cacao or milk or soup,by mixing water 4 with the flavouring ingredient, e.g. by centrifugallydriving such flavouring ingredient with water 4.

Machine 1 includes a beverage processing unit 10,20 formed of a firstprocessing unit member 10 and a second processing unit member 20, suchas a substantially lid-shaped or plug-shaped first member 10 and acooperating substantially cup- or chalice-shaped second member 20, thatdelimit a chamber 21 and that are movable between a distantconfiguration in which flavouring ingredient 2 is received in chamber 21and a proximate configuration in which flavouring ingredient 2 is heldand mixed with water 4 in chamber 21 during beverage preparation.Flavouring ingredient 2 may be supplied into chamber 21 within a capsule2′ e.g. with a capsule flange 2″.

Machine 1 has a water source for delivering water 4 towards beverageprocessing unit 10,20, such as a connector to be connected to a watersupply line external to machine 1 and/or a water supply tank 40 that hasan outside opening 45 for water filling with a water source external tosuch machine 1.

Machine 1 is provided with a water guide 30 for guiding water 4 betweenthe water source and the chamber 21. Water guide 30 may be free of awater pump or may comprise a water pump, such as a gear or a peristalticor a piston, e.g. solenoid, or a diaphragm pump.

Machine 1 may include a valve arrangement 50 for controlling, such asinterrupting or allowing, a flow of water 4 along water guide 30.

Machine 1 can have an actuator typically an electric actuator, such as amotor e.g. an electric motor 60, for actuating valve arrangement 50 tocontrol the water flow along water guide 30. For example, motor 60 is ahollow shaft motor surrounding part of the valve arrangement or a solidshaft motor.

Machine 1 may have a support structure 70, such as a frame, which has abase 72 that is stationary during beverage preparation and that supportsat least the valve arrangement 50.

Water supply tank 40, when present, may have: a resilient valve with abiased gate 42 that is opened by actuation by a part of base 72 (whenpresent) and/or by a tank seat 72 and/or by a fluid connector 16 ofwater guide 30; and/or an arrangement for mechanical and/or magneticuser-reversible assembly 44,74 to base 72 and/or a tank seat 72.

Water guide 30 and valve arrangement 50 may be arranged such as tofluidically connect the water source and beverage processing unit 10,20and to control the flow of water 4 from the water source into chamber21.

First processing unit member 10 may delimit a water inlet 11 of chamber21 or may delimit a beverage outlet 12 out of chamber 21 or may delimitboth such inlet 11 and outlet 12, inlet 11 forming an extremity of waterguide 30, e.g. inlet 11 and/or outlet 12 being formed by and/orassociated with one or more corresponding piercing elements 11′,12′ forpiercing above mentioned capsule 2′.

Valve arrangement 50, when present, may be directly or indirectlyrotatably mounted to support structure 70 and driven in rotation at arotational speed by the actuator to control the flow of water 4 alongwater guide 30. Valve arrangement 50 may be configured to interrupt theflow of water 4 along water guide 30 when not driven in rotation and isconfigured to allow the flow of water along water guide 30 when drivenin rotation. Valve arrangement 50 can be configured to interrupt theflow of water 4 along water guide 30 when its rotational speed is belowa threshold speed and is configured to allow the flow of water 4 alongwater guide 30 when its rotational speed is above the threshold speed.

Processing unit 10,20 may be configured to be driven in rotation by a orthe above mentioned actuator, typically an electric actuator, such as amotor e.g. an electric motor 60, so as to mix water 4 with flavouringingredient 2 in chamber 21, e.g. by centrifugation. For example, motor60 is a hollow shaft motor surrounding part of the processing unit or asolid shaft motor.

Valve arrangement 50 can be rotationally fixed to processing unit 10,20or processing unit 10,20 can be driven by the actuator such thatprocessing unit 10,20 and valve arrangement 50 have a constant speedratio. For instance, valve arrangement 50 is fixed to first processingunit member 10.

Valve arrangement 50 and processing unit 10,20 may be driven in rotationabout parallel or collinear axis 50′ or about intersecting or skew axis.

Valve arrangement 50 may include a rotational speed sensor 52 connectedto a valve gate 51 that is configured to act on the water flow and/or onwater guide 30 to control the water flow therealong. Rotational speedsensor 52 can be configured to be moved away or towards an axis 50′ ofrotation of valve arrangement 50 by rotating valve arrangement 50.

Valve arrangement 50 may include an automatic return device, e.g. areturn spring 55 or a return magnet, for automatically returning, orassisting a return of, rotational speed sensor 52 towards or away axis50′ of rotation.

Gate 51 can be fixed to or integral with rotational speed sensor 52 orcan be actuated by rotational speed sensor 52.

Rotational speed sensor 52 may form an inertia mass.

Rotational speed sensor 52 may be sensitive to a direction of rotation.

Valve arrangement 50 may include a valve support 53 that is rotationallydriven by the actuator, e.g. a or the abovementioned motor 60, at leastone of rotational speed sensor 52 and valve gate 51 being movablymounted to valve support 53, such as pivotally and/or linearly mountedto valve support 53, e.g. pivotally mounted at a pivoting axis 54.

Water guide 30 can have a flexible part 31 and optionally a rigid part32 such as one or more rigid parts 32 that extend downstream andupstream from flexible part 31. Valve arrangement 50, when present, mayinclude a or the above mentioned gate 51 that forms a compressingportion configured to compress flexible part 31 so as to control theflow of water 4 from the water source into chamber 21, such as aplurality of compressing portions 51, e.g. a pair of compressingportions 51, flexible part 31 extending between compressing portions 51that are configured to squeeze therebetween the flexible part 31.

Water guide 30 may extend from the water source to beverage processingunit 10,20 and may be arranged such that substantially all water 4delivered into chamber 21 for preparing beverage 3 is guided by waterguide 30.

The water source and water guide 30 may be thermally passive so as todeliver water 4 into chamber 21 unconditioned by any active thermalconditioner of such machine 1, e.g. any electric or combustion thermalconditioner. For instance, such machine 1 is free of any active thermalconditioner.

Water guide 30, and optionally the water source, can be configured suchthat water 4 is driven along water guide 30 into chamber 21 by gravityand/or capillary forces and/or gas pressure and/or depression, forinstance only by gravity and/or capillary forces and/or gas pressureand/or depression. Water guide 30, and optionally the water source, maybe free of any active liquid driver such as a pump, e.g. an electric orpneumatic pump.

Guide 30 may extend uprightly, such as substantially vertically, fromprocessing unit 10,20 to the water source, such as to a bottom part 41of the water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water tank 40.

Beverage processing unit 10,20 can be configured such that, duringbeverage preparation, flavouring ingredient-containing capsule 2′ (whenpresent) and/or chamber 21 containing flavouring ingredient 2, isdepressurized at least adjacent to an inlet 11 at an extremity of waterguide 30 to draw water 4 from the water source via water guide 30 intocapsule 2′ (when present) and/or chamber 21. For instance, processingunit 10,20 is configured to cause such depression by: modifying a volumeof the capsule (when present) and/or of the chamber, e.g. expanding thevolume; and/or centrifugally driving capsule 2′ (when present) and/orchamber 21, e.g. about an axis 50′ that intercepts or is collinear or isadjacent to inlet 11.

The water source may be configured to deliver water 4 under pressureinto the water guide 30. For instance, water 4 is delivered underpressure of compressed gas, e.g. by connection of the abovementionedtank 40 to an air compressor and/or compressed gas reservoir, and/orunder pressure of the above mentioned external water supply line.

Machine 1 may include a fluid module 15 that includes water guide 30 forguiding water 4 between the water source and chamber 21, fluid module 15comprising first processing unit member 10 of processing unit 10,20.

Such fluid module 15 may be assemblable by a user as a unit to the watersource and to second processing unit member 20 and may be disassemblableby a user as a unit from the water source and from second processingunit member 20. Fluid module 15 may be assemblable to and disassemblablefrom the water source and second processing unit member 20 along anupright direction 71′ of assembly and disassembly, such as a downwarddirection of assembly and an upward direction of disassembly of fluidmodule 15 to second processing unit member 20 and/or an upward directionof assembly and a downward direction of disassembly of fluid module 15to the water source.

Such fluid module 15 and second processing unit member 20 can bedisassemblably assembled together by at least one of a bayonet,screw-type, a hook-type, magnet-type, friction-type and latch-typeconnection 25,17.

Fluid module 15, when present, may be mountable by a user as a unit tosupporting structure 70 (when present) and removable by a user as a unitfrom such supporting structure. For instance, the water source is:mountable by a user as a unit to supporting structure 70 and removableby a user as a unit therefrom; and/or pluggable by a user to a or theabove mentioned fluid connector 16 that is at an extremity of waterguide 30 to fluidically connect the water source to water guide 30 andunpluggable by a user therefrom.

Fluid module 15, for instance with second processing unit member 20, canbe configured to be driven in rotation by a or the abovementionedactuator typically a or the electric actuator, such as a or the (e.g.electric) motor 60, during beverage preparation so as to mix water 4with flavouring ingredient 2 in chamber 21 e.g. by centrifugation, waterguide 30 having at an extremity a or the above mentioned fluid connector16 that is fluidically coupled to the water source via a seal 43. Forinstance, the water source is stationary during beverage preparation andthe seal is either: angularly fixed to the water source and slidinglymounted to rotating fluid connector 16; or angularly fixed to therotating fluid connector 16 and slidingly mounted to the water source;or slidingly mounted to rotating fluid connector 16 and slidinglymounted to the water source.

Fluid module 15 may include a or the above mentioned valve arrangement50 for controlling, e.g. interrupting or allowing, a flow of such water4 along water guide 30, valve arrangement 50 being directly orindirectly rotatably mounted relative to the water source and driven inrotation at a rotational speed by the actuator to control the flow ofwater 4 along water guide 30.

Beverage processing unit 10,20 may be disassemblable by a user fromsupporting structure 70 (when present) and assemblable by a user tosupporting structure 70. Processing unit 10,20 can be: assemblable toand disassemblable from supporting structure 70 as a unit; and/orassemblable to and disassemblable from supporting structure 70 along anupright direction 71′ of assembly and disassembly, such as a downwarddirection of assembly and an upward direction of disassembly.

When present, fluid module 15, may be assemblable by a user as a unit tothe water source and to second processing unit member 20 and may bedisassemblable by a user as a unit from the water source and from secondprocessing unit member 20.

Fluid module 15 and second processing unit member 20 can be assemblableto and disassemblable from supporting structure 70 as a unit.

Water guide 30 and first processing unit member 10 may be integrallyformed and/or non-separable by a user.

When present, supporting structure 70 may include a connector 71, suchas a loop-shaped, e.g. annular, connector, by which beverage processingunit 10,20 is disassemblable by a user from supporting structure 70 andassemblable by a user to supporting structure 70. When assembledtogether, connector 71 and processing unit 10,20 may be secured by atleast one of squeezing, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and/orelastic constraining, or clamping, e.g. by screw or bayonet assembly orby clamping ribs 26.

Such connector 71 can be rotatably mounted to base 72, e.g. via abearing such as at least one of a sliding, magnetic, roller and ballbearing 73, connector 71 being driven by an actuator typically anelectric actuator, such as a motor e.g. an electric motor 60, forinstance via a transmission 611,612,62 such as gear 611,612 and/or beltarrangement 62, to rotate beverage processing unit 10,20 so as toprepare beverage 4 by centrifugation. Connector 71 and beverageprocessing unit 10,20 may be rotatable about a or the above mentioneddirection 71′ of assembly and disassembly of connector 71 and processingunit 10,20.

Machine 1 may include a beverage collector 80 for collecting beverage 3from beverage processing unit 10,20 during beverage preparation.Beverage collector 80 can have at least one collecting wall 81 directingbeverage 3 out of collector 80 to a beverage dispensing area 90typically via a beverage dispensing opening 82, e.g. a nozzle. Beveragedispensing area 90 may be located under beverage collector 80.Dispensing area 90 may be configured to receive a user-receptacle 100,such as a cup or a mug, in a position for collecting beverage 3 fromcollector 80.

Processing unit 10,20 and/or such beverage collector can have aperipheral upright drainage wall 13 external to chamber 21 and extendingat least partly about chamber 21 for collecting beverage 3 outsidechamber 21 after beverage 3 has exited chamber 21 via the abovementioned or at least one outlet 12. Upright drainage wall 13 can bespaced apart from chamber outlet 12.

First processing unit member 10 may delimit the at least one chamberoutlet 12. For instance, such at least one chamber outlet 12 can beformed by a gap between first and second processing unit members 10,20in the proximate configuration. For example, such at least one chamberoutlet 12 comprises in a loop e.g. in a circle: an outlet forming acontinuous passage extending along substantially an entire interfacesection between first and second processing unit members 10,20 and/or aplurality of outlets 12 forming discrete spaced apart passagesdistributed along a or the above entire interface section between thefirst and second processing unit members 10,20.

The above mentioned beverage collecting wall 81 may extend below abottom part of drainage wall 13 and right underneath processing unit10,20 to collect beverage 3 when draining off from drainage wall 13 andto direct beverage 3 from collecting wall 81 out of collector 80.Chamber outlet 12 may be formed by and/or associated with a or theabovementioned one or more corresponding piercing elements 12′ forpiercing capsule 2′ when present.

Beverage collector 80 can have an outlet opening, such as a or the abovementioned beverage dispensing opening 82, e.g. a nozzle, at a bottom ofcollecting wall 81 to direct beverage 3 from collecting wall 81 tobeverage dispensing area 90 via the collector's outlet opening. Forinstance, the collector's outlet opening is right underneath beverageprocessing unit 10,20 and/or extends along a central axis of the chamber21 and/or of drainage wall 13 and/or of collecting wall 81.

Peripheral upright drainage wall 13 may extend downwardly substantiallyin a shape of at least one of a prism, cylinder, pyramid and cone andupright sections thereof.

Peripheral upright drainage wall 13 can form a closed loop about chamber21 or an open loop extending about chamber 21 over an angle of at least90 deg., such as of at least 180 deg., for instance at least 270 deg.

Collecting wall 81 may extend substantially shaped as a dish, such assubstantially shaped as a cup or plate or bowl, with a or the abovementioned beverage dispensing opening 82, e.g. a nozzle, underneathprocessing unit 10,20.

Collecting wall 81 can form a plurality of beverage guide channels 83,such as one or more channels 83 delimited by uprightly protrudingbeverage guide members 84, e.g. ribs, extending from a or the abovementioned beverage dispensing opening 82 towards peripheral uprightdrainage wall 13.

Collector 80 may be directly or indirectly user-reversibly assembled tosupport structure 70 along an upright direction 71′ of assembly anddisassembly, such as an upward direction of assembly and a downwarddirection of disassembly.

Collector 80 may be directly or indirectly user-reversibly assembled tosupport structure 70, e.g. to base 72, by:

-   -   a mechanical arrangement, such as at least one of a bayonet,        screw-type, a hook-type, magnet-type, friction-type and        latch-type arrangement; and/or    -   a magnetic arrangement 75,85, such as an arrangement comprising        one or more field-generating elements 75 cooperating in mutual        attraction for the user-reversibly assembly with one or more        field-generating elements and/or with one or more ferromagnetic        elements 85, for instance: the field-generating elements being        selected from electromagnet elements and permanent magnet        elements, e.g. made of at least one of iron, nickel, cobalt,        rare earth metals, e.g. lanthanide, and alloys and oxides        containing such metals as well as polymers (e.g. plastics)        carrying such elements and components; and/or the ferromagnetic        element(s) 85 being made of at least one of Co, Fe, Fe₂O₃,        FeOFe₂O₃, NiOFe₂O₃, CuOFe₂O₃, MgO Fe₂O₃, Nd₂Fe₁₄B, Mn, Bi, Ni,        MnSb, MnOFe₂O₃, Y₃Fe₅O₁₂, CrO₂, MnAs, Gd, Dy, EuO, Cu₂MnAl,        Cu₂MnIn, Cu₂MnSn, Ni₂MnAl, Ni₂MnIn, Ni₂MnSn, Ni₂MnSb, Ni₂MnGa,        Co₂MnAl, Co₂MnSi, Co₂MnGa, Co₂MnGe, SmCo₅, Sm₂Co₁₇, Pd₂MnAl,        Pd₂MnIn, Pd₂MnSn, Pd₂MnSb, Co₂FeSi, Fe₃Si, Fe₂VAl, Mn₂VGa and        Co₂FeGe.

For instance, support structure 70, when present, and collector 80comprise each a discrete or continuous magnetic arrangement in mutualattraction for the user-reversibly assembly with a facing looparrangements e.g. a circular arrangement, such as a discrete arrangementof field generating elements cooperating with a continuous or discretearrangement of a ferromagnetic element.

At least part of the collector 80 may be made of transparent and/ortranslucide material such that beverage 3 inside collector 80 isuser-visible from outside such machine 1, such as user-visible indaylight e.g. user-visible at an illuminance greater than 10, 100 or1000 lux.

At least part of drainage wall 13 and/or at least part of beverageprocessing unit 10,20, can be made of transparent and/or translucidematerial such that, when located behind such material, beverage 3 orflavouring ingredient 2 or, when present, capsule 2′, is substantiallyuser-visible from outside such machine 1, such as user-visible indaylight e.g. user-visible at an illuminance greater than 10, 100 or1000 lux.

At least one of drainage wall 13, collecting wall 81 and guide channels83 may be made of such transparent and/or translucide material.

When machine 1 has a or the abovementioned support structure 70, such asa frame, having a base 72 that is stationary during beveragepreparation, processing unit 10,20 may be rotatably mounted to supportstructure 70 about a processing unit axis 71′.

Machine 1 may have a or the above mentioned actuator, typically anelectric actuator, supported by support structure 70, such as a motore.g. an electric motor 60, that has a driving output member 61, e.g. anoutput shaft, rotating about an output axis 61′. Output member 61 can becoupled to processing unit 10,20 for driving processing unit 10,20 inrotation to centrifugally drive flavouring ingredient 2 with water 4 inchamber 21.

The output member 61 of the actuator may be coupled to the processingunit 10,20 by a or the above mentioned transmission 611,612,62 such thatoutput axis 61′ is off-set, e.g. substantially parallel, or angled-away,e.g. by an angle between 60 and 120 deg. such as between 85 and 90 deg.,relative to processing unit axis 71′.

The actuator may be located outside vertical confines of an outermostperimeter of processing unit 10,20. Output axis 61′ and processing unitaxis 71′ can be spaced by a minimum distance of at least 4 cm, such asin the range of 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 6 to 15 cm.

Transmission 611,612,62 may include at least one of: gears 611,612, e.g.spur-gear; belts, e.g. toothed belts 62, and optionally idler pulleys612; connecting rods; and magnetic couplers.

Base 72 can have a main outside housing 72′ confining the actuator,beverage processing unit 10,20 being located externally to main outsidehousing 72′ such that the actuator is substantially shielded by mainoutside housing 72′ from beverage processing unit 10,20 and frombeverage 3 during beverage preparation. Transmission 611,612,62 mayextend through a transmission opening 72″, such as a side opening e.g. awindow, of main outside housing 72′ to couple processing unit 10,20 andoutput member 61.

Main outside housing 72′ can be of substantially prismatic, cylindrical,conical and/or pyramidal upright shape.

The water source and water guide 30 can be located externally to themain outside housing 72′ such that the actuator is substantiallyshielded from water 4.

Base 72 can have a stationary support 72′″ for a fluid line 34 adjacentto main outside housing 72′ at transmission opening 72″. Typically,fluid line 34 extends from the water source to a of the above mentionedbeverage dispensing opening 82 via chamber 21.

For example, fluid line support 72′″ is integral with or fixed to mainoutside housing 72′. Stationary fluid line support 72′″ can beconfigured to assemble processing unit 10,20 to base 72. Stationaryfluid line support 72′″ can be configured to assemble the water sourceand water guide 30 to base 72.

Base 72 may include a connector 71, such as a loop-shaped, e.g. annular,connector, by which beverage processing unit 10,20 is mounted to base72. For instance, processing unit 10,20 is disassemblable by a user frombase 72 and assemblable by a user to base 72. When assembled together,connector 71 and processing unit 10,20 can be secured by at least one ofsqueezing, fastening, locking, latching, magnetic and/or elasticconstraining, or clamping, e.g. by screw or bayonet assembly or byclamping ribs 26.

Machine 1 may include one or more electric devices 60,65,721, such as atleast one of an actuator 60, a control device 65 and a user-interface721.

Machine 1 may have a connection 76 to an electric supply, such as anelectric cord or an electric connector. Connection 76 can be configuredto extend from outside to inside main outside housing 72′ to power onlysuch electric devices 60,65,721 that are confined in main outsidehousing 72′ and/or that are mounted in a panel of main outside housing72′, such as a user-interface 721.

Machine 1 may have a or the above mentioned support structure 70, suchas a frame, having a base 72 that comprises a main outside housing 72′,a fluid line support 72′″ and a supporting foot 72 ^(IV) at a bottom ofmain outside housing 72′. Main outside housing 72′ can be stationaryduring beverage preparation. Processing unit 10,20 and water guide 30,and optionally water source, may be supported by base 72. Foot 72 ^(IV)can be configured to rest on an external substantially horizontalsurface, such as a table top or a shelf, during beverage preparation.

All electric device(s) 60,65,721 of machine 1, e.g. the above mentioneddevice(s) 60,65,721, may be confined in and/or comprised in main outsidehousing 72′ and/or foot 72 ^(IV).

Beverage processing unit 10,20, the water source and water guide 30 maybe located entirely outside main outside housing 72′ and outside foot 72^(IV).

The water source and water guide 30 may be located externally to mainoutside housing 72′ such that electric device(s) 60,65,721 is/aresubstantially shielded from water 4.

Machine 1 may include a or the above mentioned valve arrangement 50located entirely outside main outside housing 72′ and outside foot 72^(IV). Water guide 30 and valve arrangement 50 can be arranged such asto fluidically connect the water source and beverage processing unit10,20 and to control, e.g. to interrupt or to allow, the flow of water 4from the water source into chamber 21.

As mentioned above, valve arrangement 50 can be directly or indirectlyrotatably mounted to support structure 70 and driven in rotation at arotational speed by the actuator to control the flow of water 4 alongwater guide 30.

Foot 72 ^(IV) may be located right below a beverage dispensing area 90configured to receive a user-receptacle 100, such as a cup or a mug, ina position for collecting beverage 3 from processing unit 10,20. Forinstance, foot 72 ^(IV) delimits and forms a placement surface forsupporting such user-receptacle 100 in dispensing area 90. Such machine1, when free of flavouring ingredient 2 and water 4, may have a weightratio of foot 72 ^(IV) over machine 1 in the range of 0.33 to 0.85 suchas 0.5 to 0.66.

Main outside housing 72′ can extend in an upright manner from foot 72^(IV), fluid line support 72′″ being located at an upper part, e.g. at atop, of main outside housing 72′ to hold beverage processing unit 10,20right above foot 72 ^(IV), such that support structure 70 issubstantially L-shaped or C-shaped or inverted

-shaped when oriented to prepare beverage 3.

Main outside housing 72′ can have a gripping surface 722, e.g. atextured or striated or corrugated or undulated or ruled or evensurface, to facilitate hand gripping, extending between foot 72 ^(IV)and fluid line support 72′″ for seizing support structure 70single-handed such that support structure 70 with processing unit 10,20and water guide 30, and optionally the water source, can be carried anddisplaced single-handed by seizure of gripping surface 722.

Gripping surface 722 may extend over: a height of at least 3 cm, such asat least 6 cm, for instance in the range of 7 to 25 cm, e.g. 8 to 20 cm,for example 9 to 15 cm; and/or a portion, such as a portion of at least50% for instance at least 66% e.g. in the range of 75 to 100%, of ahorizontal outside perimeter of main outside housing 72′, the perimeterhaving a length in the range 3 to 30 cm, such as 5 to 25 cm, e.g. 7 to20 cm, for instance 9 to 16 cm, for example 11 to 14 cm. Grippingsurface 722 may extend over such portion over at least 66%, such as atleast 75 e.g. at least 85% for instance in the range of 90 to 100%, of aor the above mentioned height of gripping surface 722.

One of processing unit members 10,20 can be provided with a cavitydelimiting chamber 21, first and second processing unit members 10,20 intheir distant configuration being configured for direct manual insertioninto, and optionally direct manual removal out of, the cavity offlavouring ingredient 2, optionally within the abovementioned capsule2′. The cavity-provided unit member 20 may be configured to be able tobe oriented upward for insertion of flavouring ingredient 2 into thecavity and to be oriented downward for removal of the flavouringingredient 2 out of the cavity, e.g. with the aid of gravity.

The water source, e.g. a or the above mentioned water supply tank 40,can be configured to contain a limited amount of water 4 thatcorresponds to a maximum amount needed for a serving. Machine 1 can beconfigured to deliver all water 4 contained in the water source forpreparing a serving of beverage 3. The limited amount of water 4 may bein the range of 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml. The water sourcemay have an indication arrangement, such as a marking system on theabovementioned water supply tank 40, to indicate different levels ofwater amounts below the maximum amount corresponding to different typesof beverage servings.

Machine 1 can be configured to prepare beverage 3: without thermallyconditioning water 4 delivered from the water source into chamber 21,for instance machine 1 being free of activatable thermal conditioner orhaving a beverage preparation mode in which a thermal conditioner of themachine is bypassed or inactivated; or with thermally conditioning thewater delivered from the water source into the chamber, for instance themachine having an activatable thermal conditioner such as a water heaterand/or cooler.

Machine 1 may be configured to deliver beverage 3 at a temperature below30° C. such as below 25° C., for instance in the range of 3 to 20° C.,for example in the range of 5 to 15° C., e.g. 7 to 10° C.

Machine 1 can be configured to deliver water 4 from the water sourceinto chamber 21 at an average rate for a beverage serving in the rangeof 10 to 300 ml/min, for instance 20 to 100 ml/min, such as 40 to 80ml/min.

Beverage processing unit 10,20 can be arranged in order to rotate thechamber 21 at a speed in the range of 500 to 10000 RPM, such as 1250 to7500 RPM, for centrifugation of water 4 with flavouring ingredient 2,optionally within capsule 2′ to prepare beverage 3.

1. A machine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient bymixing water with the flavouring ingredient by centrifugally drivingsuch flavouring ingredient with the water comprising: a beverageprocessing unit formed of a first processing unit member and a secondprocessing unit member that delimit a chamber and that are movablebetween a distant configuration in which the flavouring ingredient isreceived in the chamber and a proximate configuration in which theflavouring ingredient is held and mixed with the water in the chamberduring beverage preparation; a water source for delivering the watertowards the beverage processing unit, such as a connector to beconnected to a water supply line external to such machine and/or a watersupply tank that has an outside opening for water filling with a watersource external to such machine; a water guide for guiding the waterbetween the water source and the chamber; a support structure having abase that comprises a main outside housing, a fluid line support and asupporting foot at a bottom of the main outside housing, the mainoutside housing being stationary during beverage preparation, theprocessing unit and the water guide, and optionally the water source,being supported by the base, the foot being configured to rest on anexternal substantially horizontal surface, during beverage preparationand being located right below a beverage dispensing area configured toreceive a user-receptacle, such as a cup or a mug, in a position forcollecting the beverage from the processing unit, optionally the footdelimiting and forming a placement surface for supporting suchuser-receptacle in the dispensing area; the main outside housingextending in an upright manner from the foot, the fluid line supportbeing located at an upper part of the main outside housing to hold thebeverage processing unit right above the foot when oriented to preparethe beverage; and the main outside housing has a gripping surface, e.g.a textured or striated or corrugated or undulated or ruled or evensurface, to facilitate hand gripping, extending between the foot and thefluid line support for seizing the support structure single-handed suchthat the support structure with the processing unit and the water guide.2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the gripping surface extends over: aheight of at least 3 cm; and a portion, such as a portion of at least50% of a horizontal outside perimeter of the main outside housing, theperimeter having a length in the range 3 to 30 cm.
 3. The machine ofclaim 1, which comprises a beverage collector, the collector beingconfigured to collect the beverage from the beverage processing unitduring beverage preparation, the beverage collector having at least onecollecting wall directing the beverage out of the collector to thebeverage dispensing area.
 4. The machine of claim 1, wherein the waterguide extends uprightly from the processing unit to the water source,such as to a bottom part of the water source.
 5. The machine of claim 1,which comprises one or more electric devices, a control device and auser-interface, all the electric devices being confined in and/orcomprised in the main outside housing and/or the foot, and wherein thebeverage processing unit, the water source and the water guide arelocated entirely outside the main outside housing and outside the foot.6. The machine of claim 1, which comprises an actuator that is supportedby the support structure and that has a driving output member, theoutput member being coupled to the processing unit for driving theprocessing unit in rotation to centrifugally drive the flavouringingredient with the water in the chamber.
 7. The machine of claim 6,wherein the beverage processing unit is driven by the output member viaa transmission, the beverage processing unit being located externally tothe main outside housing such that the actuator is substantiallyshielded by the main outside housing from the beverage processing unitand from the beverage during beverage preparation, the transmissionextending through a transmission opening of the main outside housing tocouple the processing unit and the output member.
 8. The machine ofclaim 1, wherein one of the processing unit members is provided with acavity delimiting the chamber, the first and second processing unitmembers in their distant configuration being configured for directmanual insertion into the cavity of the flavouring ingredient.
 9. Themachine of claim 1, wherein the water source, e.g. a water supply tank,is configured to contain a limited amount of the water that correspondsto a maximum amount needed for a serving, optionally: such machine beingconfigured to deliver all the water contained in the water source forpreparing a serving of the beverage; and/or the limited amount of thewater is in the range of 200 to 1000 ml, such as 350 to 750 ml; and/orthe water source comprising an indication arrangement, such as a markingsystem on the water supply tank, to indicate different levels of wateramounts below the maximum amount corresponding to different types ofbeverage servings.
 10. The machine of claim 1, which is configured to:prepare the beverage: without thermally conditioning the water deliveredfrom the water source into the chamber.
 11. The machine of claim 1,which is configured to deliver the water from the water source into thechamber at an average rate for a beverage serving in the range of 10 to300 ml/min.
 12. The machine of claim 1, wherein the beverage processingunit is arranged in order to rotate the chamber at a speed in the rangeof 500 to 10000 RPM to prepare the beverage.
 13. A combination of amachine for preparing a beverage from a flavouring ingredient by mixingwater with the flavouring ingredient by centrifugally driving suchflavouring ingredient with the water comprising: a beverage processingunit formed of a first processing unit member and a second processingunit member that delimit a chamber and that are movable between adistant configuration in which the flavouring ingredient is received inthe chamber and a proximate configuration in which the flavouringingredient is held and mixed with the water in the chamber duringbeverage preparation; a water source for delivering the water towardsthe beverage processing unit, such as a connector to be connected to awater supply line external to such machine and/or a water supply tankthat has an outside opening for water filling with a water sourceexternal to such machine; a water guide for guiding the water betweenthe water source and the chamber; a support structure having a base thatcomprises a main outside housing, a fluid line support and a supportingfoot at a bottom of the main outside housing, the main outside housingbeing stationary during beverage preparation, the processing unit andthe water guide, and optionally the water source, being supported by thebase, the foot being configured to rest on an external substantiallyhorizontal surface, during beverage preparation and being located rightbelow a beverage dispensing area configured to receive auser-receptacle, such as a cup or a mug, in a position for collectingthe beverage from the processing unit, optionally the foot delimitingand forming a placement surface for supporting such user-receptacle inthe dispensing area; the main outside housing extending in an uprightmanner from the foot, the fluid line support being located at an upperpart of the main outside housing to hold the beverage processing unitright above the foot when oriented to prepare the beverage; and the mainoutside housing has a gripping surface, e.g. a textured or striated orcorrugated or undulated or ruled or even surface, to facilitate handgripping, extending between the foot and the fluid line support forseizing the support structure single-handed such that the supportstructure with the processing unit and the water guide and a flavouringingredient for preparing a beverage from the flavouring ingredient insuch machine. 14-15. (canceled)